Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I expect them to be smaller than I would hope. I'm sure if they all died at once, it could spike ammonia. I would think they could all survive for a while and die off slowly- assuming no pH shock or some other means of killing them.

After running system for 2 years and 4 big plantings, I think there's a build up of root matter. I've tossed and churned the beds a couple times, but then it goes to the fish tank and back to the beds...

It's not sludge. Just pieces of dead root matter.

I guess I'll see what they look like. If they're small, then I'll add them all. If they're bigger than I expect, I'll throw some in the soil beds. They were on sale so I got a larger quantity than I probably would have.

My beds are constant flow with high oxygen as well. I hope the worms like them and flourish.

I think you'll have more than enough. Usually they just leave if conditions aren't right so I doubt you'll have an ammonia spike. You could start a vermi-compost bed to generate even more and feed them to your fish or if you have chickens they'll eat every one of them.

Thanks Scotty.

I have considered a composting bin of some sort. I just know I wouldn't keep up with it and by August here in Texas I would have dehydrated worms that I was trying to feed to something after wasting money getting it going.

I like the "set and forget" type projects. I can do something really well all at once, I don't like regular maintenance :-/

I plan on putting them all in AP system. Know if they prefer ebb/flow or constant flow?

Also, is there a general supplement for plants in aquaponics available in US other than seaweed extract? I haven't ever added any real supplements other than liquid seaweed and dtpa iron chelate.

I have a picture of the fish food ingredients of my feed. Would you be able to tell if there's an obvious shortage for plants?

Here's the ingredient list from the food I have been feeding most consistently. I have fed a total of 80lbs of this food, as well as one 10lb bag of wheat germ cold water formula for koi.

Any input on this food?

I started using this food when I had bass, and continued after switching to Koi. Its really affordable- about $40 for 40 lbs.

I used to have pretty good luck with a pile that just sat on the ground. You can give it walls and a top for shade if you want. The worms can then burrow into the ground when it gets hot. Every once in a while I'd give it a good watering.

Here are a few pics of this sort of thing - https://www.google.com/search?q=vermicompost+ground+bin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwidh6bnmPLRAhWLf7wKHYPBDVAQ_AUICSgC&biw=1120&bih=558&dpr=1.71

I was thinking of trying this with concrete block sides and siding for a roof just to keep my chickens from eating all the worms.

Not sure what to tell you on the feed

Cool Scotty.

I already have something similar but give it little or no attention. I just push garden scraps in a pile- along with all sorts of organic waste.. firepit clean out, leaves, and dead plants. Since I dont do much soil gardening, I just didnt want to waste (expensive) worms on it. I know there are worms in it already (its been there for a couple years)- thats where I dug up worms I have already added to AP.

Is there a general supplement for plants in aquaponics available in US other than seaweed extract? I haven't ever added any real supplements other than liquid seaweed and dtpa iron chelate. Seems like a good broad spectrum of trace elements would be good. Is it better to individually add potash, etc?

Doesn't look like you really need to add anything at this point Andrew. The plants look good and the feed probably has everything. You could try adding some blood and bone meal or spray applying some compost tea to the plants. You'd basically want something that doesn't give you an ammonia or nitrite spike (so slow release nitrogen). You want the plants to have what they need but because some fertilizers have metals that might build up in a recirculating system it's probably best to add infrequently unless you can see a deficiency.

It might not matter but I would add the Potash separate from other additions.

Worms arrive today! I also purchased an RO filter (4 stage, 200gpd) to help correct top of water issues. Is anybody running RO filters for top off? If so, what ratio is recommended? 90/10? I just plan to supplement trace elements with seaweed extract.

I've also added a teaspoon of potassium sulfate (0-0-50).

From the beginning of this system, I have been adding Fe dtpa. Until last night, I didn't know anything about Fe. After reading about ferrous and ferric irons, I learned about Fe EDDHA. I had no clue that there was an iron my plants could use at 8.0ph.

I ordered a couple pounds of Fe EDDHA, it'll be here in a couple days. Seems like I should've been using it all along. I understand the cost difference, and wI'll go back to FeDTPA after my pH drops.

Fe-DTPA will still work if you use it as a spray - the instructions on the package will probably tell you how to do this if you want to before the EDDHA gets there.

Thanks Scotty. I actually have, the last two nights. The foliar spray has nearly corrected (in 2 days) a very sad kohl rabi plant that had severe interveinal chlorosis. Its also darkened up several other plants.


I had an ah-ha! moment last night while watching YouTube videos. I saw that plants can release a hydrogen ion (I believe) from roots to make an acidic barrier around roots. The plants that I have struggled with deficiencies in, are in a line between spray bar (input into bed) and drain in constant flow. It seems like I'm washing that acidic barrier away.

If I slow my rate of flow down, my FT water isn't as beautiful.

Is the red color everyone complains about from Fe EDDHA permanent? Or does it fade just like the color from FeDTPA?

Ahh! I want a lower ph!!!

It fades pretty quickly, no worries

Thanks Mel!

I figured it did, but some people poorly reviewed the product. Clearly out of their own ignorance.

Thanks again.

I'm sorry if it seems I'm completely ignoring yall's advice. I have plant deficiencies that I haven't shared photos of. Foliar iron and/or potassium sulfate seem to be doing the trick. I suspect it's the iron.

*snicker* They probably also added a lot more than is necessary! I made a note of the recommendation I saw on this forum (without a note about who posted it, sorry); 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per thousand litres (=about 264 gallons), then a 'pinch' every 4-6 weeks unless you see signs of a deficiency. When I add that much to my system, there's only a slight red tint after it spreads out and it goes away after a few days. I usually drop it into my RFF.

(Which reminds me, I should add a little some time this week.)

Most likely Mr Damage - appears in many locations... one of his pet replies.
eg. Cheaper Iron Chelate Alternative? , Where to buy and what to buy for fertilizer and additives?,
Adding Chelated Iron

the blow by blow of red colour is here > Where to buy and what to buy for fertilizer and additives?
(thread viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26641&p=530259&hilit=Iron+teaspoon#p530259 mid-way down)

Yeah it was good that Mr Damage weighed in on that topic because very few were using EDDHA at that time and now it's considered the best option thanks largely to his post showing the lack of color in the API testing when mixed at appropriate levels.